According to church tradition St. Valentine was a priest near Rome in about the year A.D. 270. Now some have rejected the story because of its similarity to that of Paul. At that time the Roman Emperor was imprisoning Christians for not worshipping the Roman gods. During this persecution Valentine was arrested. Some say he was arrested because he was performing Christian marriages, but others say it was for helping Christians escape prison.

During the trial they asked Valentine what he thought of the Roman gods Jupiter and Mercury. Of course Valentine said they were false gods and that the God that Jesus called Father was the only true God. So the Romans threw him in prison for insulting the gods.

While in prison Valentine continued to minister. He witnessed to the guards. One of the guards was a good man who had adopted a blind girl. He asked Valentine if his God could help his daughter. Valentine prayed and the girl was given her sight. The guard and his whole family, 46 people, believed in Jesus and were baptized. Because these people had come to know Jesus, Valentine praised God right there in his prison cell. When the emperor heard about this he was furious that Valentine was still making converts even in prison, so he had Valentine beheaded.

In order to capitalize on the chances we are given we need to ask the Spirit of God to control every part of our mind, will, and emotions. Ask the Lord to help you avoid missing out on any good thing by asking God to fill every thought with the Lord’s des

Percentage of American’s who own running shoes but don’t run: 87% Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness for it is profitable for all things, not only in this life but also in the life to come. (I Tim 4:7,8)